Herndon #13
Herndon junior Luke McDermott is effective getting to the rim--he scored overtime's only basket to give the Hornets their first win on the season.

Herndon works overtime to get first win of season

The Herndon coaching staff has been looking for its team to put together its first, four-quarter total effort of the season. Tuesday night at home against Meridian it got it – and then some.

Despite playing on back-to-back nights, the Hornets carried their determined intensity into overtime and topped the Mustangs, 45-43, for their first win of the season.

This time, junior Luke McDermott scored the only basket in the extra session, a driving layup with 23 seconds left.

McDermott finished with 10 points and soph Johnny Callow led the Hornets with 16.

“We were trying to run down the clock and take care of the ball and get a good shot,” said McDermott, a lanky inside presence who has been assigned to defend the biggest, most physical opposing players. “We’re a good, young team with all kinds of potential. Getting this first win is huge.”

Herndon starts three sophomores and one senior (guard Dayvon Demby), who added eight points.

Herndon 2
One of Herndon’s talented sophomores is Johnny Callow (right), who had a game-high 16 points against Meridian.

“We love our sophomores,” McDermott said about the team’s prospects.

Herndon coach Kevin Quinlan said he was proud of his guys and the positive attitudes they have shown all season.

“Our guys have high basketball IQs,” Quinlan said. “Tonight, a lot of it was about taking care of the ball and playing good, locked-in defense the entire way.”

Several times, Herndon (1-8) has shown well for three or three and a half quarters but has been unable to close the deal.

The night before, it led by one at halftime at home to Broad Run but couldn’t keep that momentum going. Two weeks ago, it played at peak performance for a quarter or two against South Lakes, but eventually faltered.

On Tuesday, sophomore guard Isaac Rosenberger and senior Wyatt Trundle each had 14 points for the Mustangs (5-4).

Rosenberger had 12 straight points for his team in the third quarter, helping to boost his team from an early 11-point deficit to grab a 32-30 advantage after the third.

Rosenberger, one of the slightest builds on the court, drove for nifty inside baskets and also hit two three-pointers during his scoring run.

“He’s an old-school baller,” Quinlan said. “So crafty.”

Meridian #3
Meridian has some talented sophomores of its own. Isaac Rosenberger scored 12 straight in a losing cause Tuesday.

Trundle said Rosenberger has “come out of nowhere” this season to average about 12 points a game.

“He’s that lefty spark, really gritty,” Trundle said.

Herndon managed Rosenberger in the fourth quarter by assigning the taller Demby on him and he went scoreless after his outburst.

“This was a great defensive game,” Trundle said. “They shot the ball well. We had a lot of opportunities.”

Herndon led 40-37 with 3 minutes to play, but Trundle hit two three-pointers thereafter to keep his team in it. Down one, the Mustangs were fouled with 1.2 seconds left but hit only one of two foul shots, ultimately forcing overtime.

The season so far has been a good one for Meridian (formerly George Mason High) in Falls Church. It’s the second season for coach Jim Smith – Northern Virginia’s winningest active public school boys coach).

A year ago, the Mustangs won seven games and reached the region tournament. Smith said this year’s squad is younger, and potentially better.

–Paul Bergeron
@PaulBergeron3